Plutonium-240 decays according to the function where Q represents the quantity remaining after t years and k is the decay constant, 0.00011... How long will it take 24 grams of plutonium-240 to decay to 20 grams?

Respuesta :

It will take 1,657.4 years.

Answer:

1657.47 years

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's find the answer by using the decay formula:

[tex]Q=q*e^{-kt}[/tex] where:

Q=quantity remaining after 't' years

q=initial amount

k=decay constant

t=time in years

Using the information provided by the problem we have:

[tex]20=24*e^{-0.00011t}[/tex]

[tex]ln(20/24)/(-0.00011)=t[/tex]

[tex]1657.47=t[/tex]

In conclusion, it will take 1657.47 years.